NEXA3D is best known for its super-fast, industrial 3D printers for light-curing resins, however, parallel to this product line, the company is dynamically developing its offer within the SLS method – selective sintering of polyamide powders. One of the most popular 3D printers in this segment is the QLS 230 model, which combines high production capacity with a relatively low price and operating costs.
SLS technology has long been the preferred platform for the additive manufacturing of parts with robust, durable mechanical properties and complex geometries. So far, most users have outsourced the production of this type of part due to the high cost of purchasing the machine, however, the Nexa3D QLS 230 makes it available to any user of prototyping at a favorable price. The 3D printer has a working area of 230 x 230 x 230 mm and is equipped with a 30W CO2 laser.
The maximum production speed is up to 20 mm per hour. With a duty cycle of only 24 hours, where the required cooling period is only 2 hours, the QLS 230 is a very efficient machine in terms of productivity. It uses a single 30 W CO2 laser, and thanks to the effective control and distribution of heat in the chamber, we can process powders such as PA11CF (with the addition of carbon fiber).
The QLS 230 has an open material platform with more than 10 qualified polyamide, PP, PBT, TPU powders as well as patented metal powders from Headmade Materials. It also has the ability to work with recycled powders from HP and EOS, which is a great use of material previously considered waste.
The QLS 230 is powered by two advanced software packages, Buildware and XYZprint AMSLS. Buildware controls the sintering process while XYZprint AMSLS allows users to start and monitor jobs remotely. An add-on called “multienergy print” facilitates the process of validating process settings for new materials – within a few prints the profile is ready.
Cold Metal Fusion by Headmade Materials is a patented process that combines the benefits of rapid sintering with powder metallurgy processes to create titanium and steel parts. Using polymer-coated metal powder, the QLS 230 produces “green” parts in a low-temperature machining environment. The parts then go through a secondary debinding and sintering process that burns off any remaining polymers and sinters the metal particles to form the final metal pieces.
Source: www.nexa3d.com